Focusing On The Title Race: National League North

It is the Ammies who have the advantage knowing one more positive result will do, writes Tom Feaheny.

Comparing the points from the last few seasons both Salford City and Harrogate Town are set to eclipse the total gained by the title winners in AFC Fylde a season ago and Solihull Moors from a year before that.

Both sides have also had recent experience of losing in a semi-final of a play-off with Salford City being defeated by FC Halifax Town during the last campaign and Harrogate Town lost to AFC Fylde the year before, so being top really is key.

The Ammies in their second season in the Vanarama National League North currently hold the advantage with a six point lead, they have also gone ten games unbeaten, a run of form that sees them currently on 88 points.

Joint-managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley have repeatedly spoken about having to take it one game at a time and for good reason, with the current rate of points being picked up meaning this could go down to the last day of the season.

They have know a single point will be enough to go up as champions.

Their form on the road is the fifth best in the league based on their last ten matches and they are unbeaten in four on their travels.

While they are six points behind top spot, Harrogate Town have a 20 goal advantage and that could be crucial it means two wins for them and two losses for Salford and they go top.

Simon Weaver's side have scored 94 times and are closing in on 100 goals, they could also have their best season with a second or first placed finish.

Town are away against Bradford Park Avenue and like Salford City take on a team on the last day of the season who may need the points to avoid relegation in Curzon Ashton.

Town were defeated both home and away against Salford City and at current rate that could prove to be the difference in who goes up.

Whichever team does claim top spot, the other will certainly have momentum based on their run in the league season as they go into the play-off places.

Salford City:
17th Southport (A)
21st Boston United (H)
28th Leamington (A)

Harrogate Town:
17th Boston United (A)
21st Bradford Park Avenue (A)
28th Curzon Ashton (H)

Photo by Charlotte Tattersall